· People become worried about their health 11 years earlier in life than they expected they would
· Nine per cent of people in Cardiff wish they had taken their health more seriously than they did when they were younger
People in Cardiff should take their health more seriously at a much younger age than they think, according to research by leading health care cash plan provider Sovereign Health Care.
The survey* revealed that 37 per cent of respondents in Cardiff were concerned about their health whilst a greater proportion, 46 per cent, admitted that they were more concerned about their finances.
The survey also highlighted a discrepancy of 11 years between the expected and actual age at which health becomes a concern; respondents estimated their health would become a worry to them at the age of 57, when it actually became a concern at 46.
Speaking about the research, Sovereign Health Care chief executive, Russ Piper, said: “The results of this survey have highlighted some interesting and somewhat concerning trends. A key issue in Cardiff is that people are expecting their health to become a concern much later in life than it actually does, meaning we should be prepared earlier in our lives to tackle ailments, or even better, prevent them from occurring in the first place.”
The survey reported a national increase of 60 per cent in the amount of people suffering from backache between the ages of 45 and 54 when compared to those aged between 35 and 44 years old. The results also highlighted that 49 per cent of those suffering from backache are under the age of 55; a whole four years earlier than responders expected.
Russ commented: “The reality is that health issues begin to manifest themselves earlier than many people anticipate. This can mean that once they begin to appear, individuals will be on the back foot, especially when you consider even the most routine treatments can end up costing money and causing everyday health care bills to quickly mount up.
“Combine this with the fact that health concerns begin to materialize at the average age of 45, and individuals without a plan in place to cover unexpected health care bills could easily face unnecessary financial burdens.
“We understand that even minor and short illness can have financial implications, which is a worry for many people, especially if their treatment isn’t covered by the NHS. We hope that people assess their health sooner rather than later, and investigate their options to assist with their personal health care.”
For more information on Sovereign Health Care and its cash plan benefits, visit sovereignhealthcare.co.uk
